Automatic pipe-coupling.



PATENTED APB." 19,. 1904.

G. 0. COLE. AUTOMATIC PIPE UOUPLING'.

APPLIUATION FILED AUG. 21. 1903.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

BVM

No. 757,888.` PATBNTEDFAPR. 19, 1904.

C. 0. COLE. AUTOMATIC PIPE GOUPLI'NG.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 21. 190s. v

Mums-annua.

l... Nb

NO MODEL.

UNITEE STATES Patented April 19, 1904.

PATENT I OFFICE.V

CHRISTOPHER OLIVER COLE, WHATCOM, WASHINGTON.

AUTOMATIC PIPE-COUPLING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 757,888, dated April19, 1904. Application filed August 2l, 1903. Serial No. 170,302. (Nomodel.)

10 MM 'lv/1.0m, t nt/ty concern:

Be it known that I, CHRISTOPHER OLIVER COLE, a citizen of the UnitedStates, and a resident of l/Vhatcom, in the county of l/Vhatcom andState of Tashingtom have invented a new and Improved AutomaticPipe-Coupler, of which the following is a full, clear, and exactdescription.

The invention relates to pipe-couplings for connecting air, steam, orother pipes of cars in a train with each other to form continuouspipe-lines.

The object of the invention is to provide a new and improved pipecouplerwhich is completely automatic in operation and insuresa firm coupling ofthe pipes for the various lines without danger of leakage, allowsautomatic uncoupling on moving the uncoupled cars apart, and permits amanuallycontrolled release of the coupling members whenever it isdesired to do so by the operator.

The invention consists of novel features and parts and combinations ofthe same, as will he more fully described hereinafter and then pointedout in the claims.

A practical embodiment of the invention is represented in thelaccomlianying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in whichsimilar characters of reference indicate correspondingI parts in all theviews.

Figure l is a sectional plan view of the improvement as applied, showingparts of the two coupling-heads in a coupled position. Fig. 2 is a sideelevation of the same, parts being broken out. Fig'. 3 is an enlargedsectional plan View of the improvement, showing the parts of' twocoupled heads in a coupled position. Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectionalside elevation of' part of the automatic releasing device. Fig. 5 is atransverse section of the same. Fig. 6 is a perspective View of the freeend of another of the coupling members; and Fig. 7 is an enlargedsectional side elevation of the improvement, showing the parts ofanother coupling-head in an uncoupled position.

The coupling-heads A A are supported on the ends of. adjacent cars B Band are alike in construction, and cach contains the same mechanism-thatis, each head is provided near its mouth, spaced from one side, with aninternal vertically-disposed fixed part A2, on which is fulcrumed a pipecarrying coupling member C, mounted to swing transversely and projectingforwardly through the mouth of the coupling-head to readily enter theopposite coupling-head on coupling' the cars B and B together.

The coupling member C is provided between its ends with a transversepipe-section D', forming a portion or a section of the train-pipe D ofthe train, and the pipe-sections D of the coupled coupling members C Care in register with each other to form a connection through thecoupling members and the flexible hose-sections D2 D of the trainpipe,the said sections leading from the pipes D to piston-valves E E, locatedin the coupling-heads A A and into which open the ends of thetrain-pipes D of adjacent cars B B.v

The free end of each coupling member C is provided with a rounded-ofi1head C', adapted to fit a correspondingly rounded-off inner portion orseat A3 on the fixed part A2 of the opposite coupling-head, and the saidroundedoff head C of a coupling member is moved to its seat and lockedthereon by a transverselymovable block F, having an elongated verti' calaperture F, through which extends a guide-pin F, secured in the top andbottom of the corresponding coupling-head A or A. The inner face of theblock F corresponds in shape to the outer side of the coupling member C,and the outer face of the block F is beveled to be engaged by a wedgeGr, arranged to travel lengthwise in the coupling-head be-4 tween theblock F and the inner face of the coupling-head side adjacent to theblock, as plainly indicated in Figs. l and 3.

The wedge G is preferably provided with friction-rollers Gr', travelingon the said beveled outer face of the block F and the inner face of thecoupling-head side, so as' to reduce the friction between the wedge andthe block and coupling-head to aminimum. Now when the wedge Gr is movedforwardly then the block F is caused to move transversely to engage thefree end of the coupling member C of the opposite coupling-head to movethis free end of the coupling' member onto its seat on the fixed partA2. y

Each of the coupling members C is provid ed on its outer face with asegmental catch C2, adapted to engage one of two notches Al A3, formedin the corresponding fixed part A2, so as to hold the coupling member Ceither in coupled position, as shown in Figs. l and 3, or in uncoupledangular position, as illustrated in Fig. 7-that is, when the couplingmember C is in this latter position the catch C2 engages the notch A3. l

Near the inner end of the block F and at the inner face thereof isarranged a recess F3, in which is guided the cross-bar H of a rod H',made hollow and mounted to slide lengthwise in a guidewayA3, fixed inthe couplinghead A or A', and on the end of the said rod H' is securedone end of a spring H2, fulerumed with its other end on a cap H3,mounted to slide in the hollow rod H', and on the said cap H3 isattached one end of the valvestem I' of a piston-valve I, having pistonsl2 and I3, secured on and spaced from each other on the stem I', asplainly illustrated in the drawings. The pistons 12 and 1 3 are mountedto slide lengthwise in a casing I2, and the piston l" is pressed on by aspring 13, contained in the rear end of the casing 14, and the tensionof this spring can be regulated by an adjusting-screw 13, screwing inthe end of the casing 1*. The spring H2 serves to hold the rod H' andits cross bar or head normally in a forward position and to allow thesaid rod to slide a greater distance than is necessary to shift thepistons I2 13 of the piston-valve i.. The tension of the spring H2increases on pulling the spring apart, and the said spring'- is somewhatstronger than the spring I3 to allow compression of the latter beforeexpanding the spring H2. Thus when the rod H' Yis pushed rearward thepiston-valve is opened, and when the piston 13 is pushed rearward untilseated on the stop I7 and a vfurther rearward motion is given to the rodH' then the spring H2 stretches to allow such rearward motion of the rodwithout injuring the pistonvalve or disturbing the latters position.

Into the easing 1", between the pistons I2 and 13, `open two pipes D3and J, of which the pipe D3 is a branch of the train-pipe D, so thattrain-line pressure can pass by way of the D said branch pipe D3 intothe casing l", between the pistons l2 and I3, when the latter are in theposition shown in Figs. l and 3, so that this train-line pressure canpass into the pipe J, containing a check-valve J' and opening into thecasing K' of a second piston-valve K, having pistons K2 and K3. Thiscasing K' is Aconnected by a pipe K*- with the rear end of a cylinder L,extending longitudinally in the rea'r portion of the coupling-head A,and in 1 the said cylinder L is mounted to reciprocate a piston L',normally held 'in a rearmost position in the cylinder L by a spring L2,(see Fig. 7,) the said spring resting withA one end against the forwardend of the cylinder and pressing with its other end against the outerface of the piston L'. Y

The piston L' is provided with a hollow piston-rod L3, extendingforwardly, and into which projects the stem G2 of the wedge G, so thatthe latter is moved longitudinally forward or rearward, according to themovement of the piston Ll in the cylinder L, as hereinafter more fullydescribed. s

rlhe stem G2 has a rear enlarged end G3, on the rear end of which issecured a cap G3, iitted to slide in the inner end of the hollowpiston-rod L3, in the forward end of which is arranged a cap G3, heldadjustably in the piston-rod L3 by set-screws G7, screwing in the outerend or headof the said hollow pistonrod L3. A pull-spring G'i isconnected at its ends to the said caps'G3 and G", and the tension of thesaid spring can be regulated by the set-screws G'.

rlhe spring Gil is arranged to resist a pull and is of sufficientstrength to press the wedge G into position, and a pressure of about ten,pounds is required to overcome the spring suiiicientl y for forcing thecap G3 back against the pistonL'.

Now when the piston L' is in its rearmost position, as shown in Fig. 7,then the wedge G is withdrawn and the block F is in a sidewise positionto allow ready entrance of the coupling member C of the oppositecouplinghead A', and when the coupling-heads A and A' have been broughttogether andthe coupling member C of the-head A' has passed into thecoupling-head A and pressed the cross-bar H into a rearmost position tocause the pistons I2 and 13 to connect the pipes D3 and J with eachother then the air from the trainpipe passes through the pipe D3, casing1*, pipe J, casing K', and pipe K4 into the rear end of the cylinder Lto push the piston L' outward therein against the tension of theA springL2 to cause a forward movement of the wedge G for the latterl to imparta transverse movement to the block F, so that the latter pushes thecoupling member C of the coupling-head A' against its seat A3 and locksit thereon. Then the piston L' moves into a .forward position, asdescribed and shown in Figs. l and 3, then the said piston uncovers anoutlet-pipe N, having two branch pipes N' and N2,A of which the latterleads to a pistonvalve E, connected with the, train-pipe D, and thebranch pipe N' connects with a passage N3, formed in the iixed part A2and adapted to register with a passage N* in the coupling member C ofthe opposite coupling-head, and the outer end of the passage -Nl in eachcoupling member C connects by a hose or iexible' Apipe N3 with a pipe N,having a check-valve N', leading to the pipe J, between the casing K andthe check-valve J'.

V1 oo IIO Now by the arrangement described operating-line is providedfor extending through both coupling-heads, so that the air from thecylinder L in the coupling-head A can pass by way of its pipe N throughthe pipe N',

passages F3 and N', and pipes N and N' to the piston-valve K in theother coupling-head A to then pass into the cylinder L in thiscoupling-head and force the piston L therein outward, so as to cause thewedge G in this coupling-head A to move its block F transverely to forcethe coupling member C of the coupling-head A to its seat on the fixedpart A2 of the coupling-head A'. Now when the piston L' in the cylinderL of the coupling-head A' passes beyond the outlet-pipe N then air canpass from the cylinder by way of this outletpipe N and its branch pipeN', the passage N3 in the fixed part A2 of the coupling-head A', and theregistering` passage N4 in the coupling member C of the coupling-head Ato the ilexible pipe N5 in the head A, and by way of the pipe N andcheck-valve N7 to the pipe J of the coupling-head A. Thus anoperating-line is established between the cylinders L of the two coupling-heads A and A. Now the spring L2is pressed to, say, about twentypounds, and as the air-pressure in the train-pipe D is about fortypounds it is evident that after the operating line is established airunder forty pounds of pressure again-.passes by way of the pipe N andpipe l' 2 into the rear end of the casing O of the third piston-valve E,so as to move the pistons O2 O2 therein in a forward direction against aregulating-spring O2, the tension of which is adjusted byaset-screw O5,say, to about forty pounds. Now when the pistons O2 and O2 move forwardthen connection is established between the train-pipe D and thepipe-section D2 by way of the casing O', so that train-line pressure nowpasses from the forward car having' the coupling-head A by way of thepiston-valve E and pipe-section D2 to the pipes D and 1D' in the coupledcoupling members C C of the two heads A A', so as to direct theair-pressure to the car B' and the brake mechanism thereon.

It is evident that any number of pipes may be registering' sections inthe coupling members C C of adjacent coupling-heads A A', the same asthe pipes l) orD', to allow of conducting steam or other fluid throughsaid registering' pipes from one car to another.`

'lhe withdrawal of the wedge G from a block F and unlocking of thecorresponding coup- `ling member (l can be accomplished either manuallyor automatically in 4the following manner: AIn the pipe K* is arranged-athreeway valve P, having' its valve-stern P extending to the outside ofthe coupling-headA or A', and on this outer end of the stem P' isarranged a handle P2, adapted to be taken hold of by the operator toturn the valve K so as to connect the cylinder end of the pipe K4 withthe atmosphere to shut olf the cylinder L from the casing K' of thelsecond piston-valve K. Now when the cylinder L is connected with theatmosphere by way of the valve P then air escapes from this cylinder,and consequently the pressure against the piston L is reduced to such anextent that the spring L2 forces the piston L back into a rearmostposition, and in doing' so the piston withdraws the wedge Gr to allowthe block F to move transversely to unlock and release its couplingmember C.

When no use is made of the three-way valve P for releasing purposes, asabove described, then a release is effected automatically on uncouplingthe cars-*that is, on moving' the coupling-heads A and A apart and thisautomatic arrangement is as follows:

In the forward end of the casing K' in front of the piston K3 of thesecond piston-valve K is arranged the air-outlet K5, and when thepistons K2 and K3 are drawn forwardly, as hereinafter more fullydescribed, then the pipe J is closed by the piston K2 and the cylinder Lis connected by way of the casing K and the air-outlet K5 with theatmosphere to allow the air to escape from the 'cylinder L for thepiston L' -to return to a rearmost position by the action of the springL2.

The forward end of the piston K3 is provided with a hollow piston-stemK6, mounted to slide in a bearing in the lixed part A7 of the head A orA', and into the said hollow piston-stem K6 extends a rod Q, mounted toslide lengthwise in a bearing A2, attached to the coupling-head A or A.On the rod Q within the stem K6 is formed a head Q', on one side ofwhich presses a spring Q2 and on the other side of the head Q' presseswith equal force a spring Q2, as plainly shown in Fig. 3, the springsbeing contained in the hollow stem K". The springs Q2 and Q3 aresuflicientl y strong to impart the least movement backward or forward ofthe rod Q to the pistons K2 and K2. The springs Q2 and Q3 allow the rodQ tol move farther backward 'or forward than is required for the travelof the pistons K2 and K".

The outer end of the rod Q is provided with an apertured head Q2,engaged by the lower end of a lever R, fulcrumed at R on thecoupling-head A or A', and the upper end of the said lever R' is engagedby the pivot R2 of a link R2, extending through an opening in thecoupling-head A or A', to connect at its outer end by a chain or otherflexible connection R4 with the draw-head B2 of the car B or B', asillustrated in Fig. 2. The pivot R2 extends in a bracket R5, havingspaced notches R and R', in either of which the pivot is held by springsR2, pressing on top of the pivot R2, as plainly illustrated in Figs. 4and 5. Now when a great strain is exerted on the link R3 in'a rearwarddirection then the pivot R2 passes from the notch R6 to the notch R7against the tension of the spring R2, and when the strain is in areverse direc- IOO IZO

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tion then the pivot-pin R2 passes l from the notch R7 back into thenotch R3.

Now when the two cars B' and B are drawn apart after being uncoupled inthe usual manner a swinging motion is given to the lever R from thedraw-head B2 by way of the ilexible connection R' and link R3, so thatthe rod Q is moved forwardly, and in doing so compresses the spring Q3,which in turn imparts a longitudinal movement to the stem K6 and thepistons K2 K3 to move the latter into thel from the draw-bar B3', asdescribed,and the rear end of each cou pling-head A and A' has aflexible suspension S from the timber B3 of the car B' or B, and thisflexible suspension allows longitudinal movement of the head A, as wellas sidewise or up-and-down movement in any direction. For this purposetherear end of each coupling-head A (see Figs. 1 and 2) is provided witha cylindrical offset A, on which is mounted to slide longitudinally asleeve S', having stop-pins S3, extending into elongated longitudinalslots A1", formed in the offset A. The rear end of the sleeve S' has areduced portion S3, engaged by one end of a spiral spring S4, held onthe reduced end S3 of a bracket S, bolted or otherwise fastened to thecar-timber B3, and on this bracket S6 is held one end of a secondcoil-spring S', somewhat larger in diameter than the spring S4 andinclosing the latter, the forward or free end of the spring ,S7 looselyengaging the rear end of the sleeve S.

Now by the arrangement described the sleeve S' hasa freelongitudinalsliding movement onv the offset A9 to allow forward orbackward movement of the coupling-head A orv A', and by having thesprings S4 S7 the coupling-head A or A' is free to flex in any direc-`tion and at the same time allows a rearward movement of-thecoupling-head and compression of the springs, so as to insure a propercoupling of the heads A and A when they cometogether ofi coupling up thecars B and B'.

The lever R, previously mentioned, can be actuated from the sleeve S' ofthe flexible suspension S, and for this purpose the said sleeve S isprovided with an apertured lug S3 for the passage of a rod R, pivotallyconnected with the lever R. Stop-collars T' and T2 are secured on therod T and are adapted to abut against opposite sides of the lug S3, soas to'impart a longitudinal movement to the rod` T to swing the lever Rfor opening and closing the second piston-valve K in the manner abovedescribed.

The pull on the heads A and A causes a sliding motion of the ofset A0 inthe sleeve S',- whereby the lug S8 is drawn back to allow thestop-collar T' and parts connected therewith K to move backward forclosing the second piston-valve K. The latter remains closed until theheads A and A' are pushed back either by hand or by the couplers comingtogether. On the couplers coming togetherv the offset A is pushed inwardin the sleeve S', so that the stop-collar T' is moved against the lugS3, so`

that the link R3 is moved forward, thereby causing the pivot R2 to moveto its forward notch R6 in the bracket R3. By this movement the stem Qis actuated for opening the piston-valve K.

The Operation is as follows: When the coup- V ling-heads A and'A' areuncoupled, then each has its coupling member C standing in an angularposition, as plainly illustrated in Fig. 7,

and the first piston-valve I has its pistons 12 and I3 in a forwardposition to disconnect the pipes D3 and J The second -piston-valve K isin the position as shownwthat is, its pistons K2 and K3 connect thepipes K and Ki with each other, while the other piston-valve E closesthe train-pipe D and the pipe-section D2. Now when the coupling-heads Aand A' come together on coupling up the cars B and B' then the couplingmember C of one coup.- ling-head engages the beveled outer end of theblock F in the opposite coupling-head to impart a sidewise swingingmotion to the coupling member for the latter to engage the cross-bar Hto actu ate the first piston-valve'L as above described, to connect thepipes D3 and J with each other for the air to pass into the cylinder Lto move the piston L' outward, so that the wedge G moves the block Ftransversely to lock the coupling member C in position on its seat A3.The operating-line is brought into use as soon as the piston L uncoversthe pipe N, so that the third pistonvalve E is finally actuated afterthe coupling Y members C are coupled together and locked in place toallow the passage of the train-line pressure from one part to the otherand allow steam and the like to pass through their corresponding pipesattached to `the coupling members C. f

Uncoupling takes place either manually by the operator turning thehandle P3 or on pulling the heads A and A' apart on uncoupling the cars,as above described.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patentl. An automatic pipe-coupler having coupling-heads,pipe-carrying coupling members in the said heads, andpneumatically-controlled means in each coupling-head for moving the saidmembers into a coupling position, the

means in one head being automatically controlled by the coupling memberof the other head, as set forth.

2. An automatic pipe-coupler having coupling-heads, pipe-carryingcoupling members in the said heads, and pneumatically-controlled meansfor moving the said members into a coupling position and locking' thesame therein, as set forth.

3. An automatic pipe-coupler having coupling-heads, pipe-carryingcoupling' members in the said heads, pneumatically-controlled means formoving' the said members into a coupling position and locking' the sametherein, and a manually-controlled releasing device for the said means,to unlock the members, as set forth.

4L. An automatic pipe-coupler having coupling-heads, pipe-carryingcoupling members in the said heads, pneumatically-controlled means formoving the said members into a coupling' position and locking the sametherein, and a releasing device, controlled by the heads on separating'the same, as sct forth.

An automatic pipe-coupler having' coupling-heads, pipe-carrying'coupling' members in the said heads, pneumatically-controlled means formoving' thc said members into a coupling' position and locking' the sametherein, and anautomatic releasing' device for the said means, as setJforth.

6. An automatic pipe-coupler having coupling-heads, pipe-carryingcoupling' members in the said heads, and pneumatically-controlled meansfor moving' the said members into a coupling' position and locking' thesame therein, the means in one head being actuated by the couplinglmember ot' the other head, as set forth.

7. An automatic pipe-coupler having coupling-heads, pipe-carryingcoupling members fulcrumed in the said heads, the member in one headbeing adapted to abut against a ixed part in the other head, a blockmovable in each coupling-head and adapted to engage the free end of theentering' coupling' member of the other head, to move the said enteringcoupling' memberag'ainst the said fixed part and lock it thereon, and apneumatically-controlled wedge in each coupling-head, for engaging andmoving the said block, as set forth.

8. An automatic pipe-coupler having coupling-heads, pipe-carryingcoupling' members fulcrumed in the said heads, the member in one headbeing adapted to abut against a iixed part in the other head, a blockmovable in each coupling-head and adapted to engage the free end of theentering coupling member of the other head, to move the said enteringcoupling member ag'ainst the said fixed part and lock it thereon, aWedge in each coupling-head, for engaging and moving' the said block,and pneumatically-controlled means in each coupling-head, actuated bythe entering coupling member and connected with the corresponding Wedge,as set forth.

9. An automatic pipe-coupler having coupling-heads, pipe-carryingcoupling' members fulcrumed in the said heads, the member in one headbeing adapted to abut against a fixed part inthe other head, a blockmovable in each coupling-head and adapted to engage the free end of theentering coupling member of the other head, to move the said enteringcoupling member against the said fixed part and lock it thereon, a Wedgein each coupling-head, for engaging' and moving the said block, andpneumatically-controlled means in each couplinghead, actuated by theentering coupling member and connected With the corresponding Wedge` thesaid means comprising a pistonvalve connected With the train-pipe, asecond piston-valve connected With the first-named piston-valve, and acylinder containing a piston connected With the said Wedge, the saidsecond piston-valve being connected with one end of the cylinder, as setJforth.

10. Y An automatic pipe-couplerhaving coupling-heads, pipe-carryingcoupling members fulcrumed in the said heads, the member in one headbeing adapted to abut against a lixed part in the other head,a blockmovable in cach coupling-head and adapted to engag'e the free end of theentering' coupling member of the other head, to move the said enteringcoupling member against the said fixed part and lock it thereon, awedgein each couplinghead, for engaging and moving' the said block, andpneumatically-controlled means in each coupling-head, actuated by theentering coupling' member and connected with the corresponding wedge,the said means comprising a piston-valve connected With the train-pipe,a second piston-valve connected with the irstnamed piston-valve, acylinder containing a piston connected with the said Wedge, the saidsecond piston-valve being connected with one end of the cylinder, anoutlet from the said cylinder, leading' to a port in the said fixedpart, and a pipe on the entering coupling member, adapted to connectWiththe said port, the said pipe connecting With the piston-valves inthe other coupling-head, as set forth.

11. Anautomatic pipe-couplerhavingcoupling-heads, pipe-carrying couplingmembers fulcrumed in the said heads, the member in one head beingadapted to abut against a fixed part in the other head, a block movablein each coupling-head and adapted to engage the free end o1' theentering coupling member of the other head, to move the said enteringcoupling' member against the said fixed part and lock it thereon, aWedge in each couplinghead, for engaging and moving the said block, andpneumatically-controlled means in each coupling-head, actuated by theentering coupling member and connected with the corresponding Wedge, thesaid means comprising a IOO IIO

piston-valve connected with the train-pipe, a second piston-valveconnected with the firstnamed piston-valve, a cylinder containing apiston connected with the said wedge, the said second piston-valve beingconnected with one end of the cylinder, an outlet Jfrom the saidcylinder, leading to a port in the said fixed part, a pipe on theentering coupling member, adapted to connect with the said port, thesaid pipe connecting with the piston-valves in the other coupling-head,a third piston-valve in each coupling-head, connected With the trainpipeand with the said outlet from the cylinder, and apipe leading f'rom thethird pistonvalve to the coupling member, to connect with thecorresponding pipe in the other coupling member, as set forth.

12. An automatic pipe-coupler having coupling-heads, pipe-carryingcoupling members fulcrumed in the said heads, the member in one headbeing adapted to abut against a fixed part in the other head, a blockmovable in each coupling-head and adapted to engage the f'ree end of'the entering coupling member ol3 the otherV head, to move the saidentering coupling member against the said fixed part and lock itthereon, a Wedge in each couplinghead, for engaging and moving' the saidblock, pneumatically-controlled means in each coupling-head, actuated bythe entering coupling member and connected with the corresponding Wedge,and a releasing device f'or the said means, as set forth.

13.v An automatic pipe-coupler having coupling-heads, pipe-carryingcoupling members fulcrumed in the said heads, the member in one headbeing adapted to abut againsta fixed part in the otherhead, a blockmovable in each coupling-head 'and adapted to engage the free end oflthe entering coupling member of the other head, to move the said'entering coupling member against the said fixed part and lock itthereon, a wedge in each couplinghead, for engagingandmoving the saidblock, pneumatically-controlled means in each coupling-head, actuatedbythe entering coupling member and connected with the correspondingWedge, and a releasing device for the said means, controlled bythecoupling-heads on separating the same, as set forth.

14. An automatic pipe-coupler having coupling-heads, pipe-carryingcoupling' members fulcrumed in the said heads, the member in one headbeing adapted to abut against a fixed part in the other head, a blockmovable in each coupling-head and adapted to engage the free end of' theentering coupling member of the other head,l to move the said enteringcoupling member against the said fixed -part and lockit thereon, awedgein each couplinghead, for engaging and moving the said block,pneumatically-controlled means in each coupling-head, actuated by theentering coupling member and connected With the corresponding Wedge, thesaid means comprising a pistonvalve connected with the train-pipe,a'second piston-valve connected with the first-named piston-valve, acylinder containing a piston connected With the said Wedge, the saidsecond piston-valve being connected With one end of the cylinder, and areleasing device connected with the said second piston-valve andcontrolled by the coupling-heads on separation of the same, as setforth.

15. An automaticpipe-couplerhavingcoupling-heads, pipe-carrying couplingmembers .fulcrumed in the said heads, the member in one head beingadapted to abut against a fixed part in the other head, a block movablein each coupling-head and adapted to engage the f'ree end of theentering coupling member of the other head, to move the said enteringcoupling member against the said fixed part and lock it thereon, a wedgein each couplinghead, for engaging and moving the'said block,

pneumatically-controlled means in each coupling-head, actuated by theentering coupling member and connected With the corresponding Wedge, thesaid means comprising a pistonvalve connected With the train-pipe, asecond piston-valve connected With the first-named piston-valve, acylinder containing a piston connected with the 'said wedge, the saidsecond piston-valve being connected with one end of` the cylinder, and athree-Way valve interposed in the connection between the said secondpiston-valve and the said cylinder, to connect the latter with theatmosphere, as set f'o'rth.

16. An automatic pipe-coupler having coupling-heads, pipe-carryingcoupling members f'ulcrumed in the said heads, the member in one headbeing adapted to abut against a fixed part in the other head, a blockmovable in each coupling-head and adapted to engage the free end of theentering coupling member of the other head, to move the said enteringcoupling member against the said fixed part and lock it thereon, a Wedgein each coupling-head, Jfor.

engaging and movingl the said block, pneumatically-controlled means ineach couplinghead, actuated by the entering coupling member andconnected with the corresponding Wedge, the said means comprising apistonvalve connected With the train-pipe, a second piston-valveconnected With the first-named piston-valve, a cylinder containing apiston connected With the said wedge, the said second piston-valve beingconnected with one end of the cylinder, an outlet from the saidcylinder, leading' to a port in the said fixed part, a pipe on theentering coupling member, adapted to connect with the said port, thesaid pipe connecting with the piston-valves in the other coupling-head,a third piston-valve in each coupling-head, connected with thetrain-pipe and with the said outlet from the cylinder, a

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pipe leading from the third piston-valve to the and a releasing deviceconnected with the said second piston-val ve and controlled by thecoupling-heads on the separation of the same, as set forth.

17. An automatic pipe-coupler having coupling-heads, pipe-carryingcoupling members fulcrumed in the said heads, the member in one headbeing adapted to abut against a fixed part in the other head, a blockmovable in each coupling-head and adapted to engage the free end of theentering coupling member of the other head, to move the said enteringcoupling member against the said fixed part and lock it thereon, a wedgein each coupling-head, for engaging and moving the said block,pneumatically-controlled means in each couplinghead, actuated by theentering coupling member and connected with' the corresponding wedge,the said means comprising a pistonvalve connected with the train-pipe, asecond piston-valve connected with the first-named piston-valve, acylinder containing a piston connected with one end of the cylinder, anoutlet from the said cylinder, leading to a port in the said fixedpart,a pipe on the entering coupling member, adapted to connect with the saidport, the said pipe connecting with the pistonvalves in the othercoupling-head, a third pis ton-valve in each coupling-head, connectedwith the train-pipe and with the said outlet from the cylinder, a pipeleading from the third piston-valve to the coupling member, to connectwith the corresponding pipe in the other coupling member, and athree-way valve interposed in the connection between the said secondpiston-valve and the said cylinder, to connect the latter with theatmosphere, as set forth.

18. An automatic pipe-coupler having a coupling-head adapted to receivea coupling member from an opposite coupling-head, a block movable in thecoupling-head, to press the said entering coupling member against afixed part in the said coupling-head, a wedge for engaging and movingthe said block in one direction, a pneumatic cylinder, and aspring-pressed piston therein, connected with the said wedge, as setforth.

19. An automatic pipe-coupler having a coupling-head provided with afixed part having a rounded-off portion, a coupling member fulcrurned onthe fixed part and having its free end provided with a head adapted tofit the rounded-off portion of the fixed part in the oppositecoupling-head, and a catch on the said coupling member, adapted toengage spaced notches in the fixed part, to hold the coupling member ineither of two positions, as set forth.

20. An automatic pipe-coupler having a releasing device for apiston-valve, controlled from the draft coupler-head of the car, as setforth.

21. An automatic pi pe-coupler having a releasing device for apiston-valve, comprising a lever engaging at one end the valvestem ofthe piston-valve, a link pivotally connected with the said lever, afiexible connection between the link and the draw-bar, and a springcatchfor engaging the pivotal connection between the link and lever, to holdthe connection in either of two positions, as set forth.

22. An automatic pipe-coupler having a releasing device for apiston-valve, comprising a lever engaging at one end the valve-stem ofthe piston-valve, a link pivotally connected with the said lever, aflexible connection between the link and the draw-bar, a springcatch forengaging' the pivotal connection between the link and lever, to hold theconnection in either of two positions, a couplinghead on which the leverand catch are held, a spring-support for the coupling-head, providedwith lugs, and a rod on the said lever, having stop-collars for engagingby the said lugs, as set forth.

23. An automatic pipe coupler provided with a coupling-head, and acoiled-spring support for the rear end of the coupling-head, to allowlongitudinal and sidewise motion of the coupling-head, as set forth.

24. An automatic pipe-coupler provided with a coupling-head, a flexiblesuspension for suspending the forward end of the coupling-head from thedraft-coupler head, and a longitudinally-extending coiled spring.support for the rear end ofthe coupling-head, to allow longitudinal andtransverse movement of the coupling-head, as set forth.

25. An automatic pipe-coupler provided with a coupling-head havingarearwardly-extending hub, a sleeve slidable on the said hub, a fixed support, a spiral spring connecting the fixed support withthe said sleeve,and a second spiral spring' held on the said support and freely engagingthe sleeve, to abut against the said head, as set forth.

In testimony whereof l have signed my name to this specification in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses.

-CHRISTOPHER OLIVER COLE.

Vitnesses:

L. H. BALDY, RALPH SIMoNDs.

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